Fujian Mountains & Sea Grand Loop Road Trip

A comprehensive grand loop starting from Wuyishan, heading east to the coast, and driving south to Xiamen, Dongshan Island, and the Tulou

A grand province-wide loop for those with plenty of vacation time. Start from the tea mountains of northern Fujian, head east to Baishuiyang, Mount Taimu, and Xiapu, then drive south along the coast through Fuzhou, Pingtan, Meizhou Island, Quanzhou, Xiamen, and Dongshan Island, finishing at the Nanjing Tulou. Daily driving time is kept under 4 hours. This itinerary requires a one-way car rental and has a relatively tight pace, making it perfect for road trip lovers. It skips Taining and the western Fujian Hakka villages.

Avoid the typhoon season from July to September, as island ferry services may be suspended on short notice.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Wuyishan & Walk the Tea Trails

Wuyi Mountain（Da Hong Pao Scenic Area & Mother Trees、Water Curtain Cave (Shuiliandong)）

Pick up your rental car at Wuyishandong Station and drive to Nanyuanling (approx. 40 minutes). Walk along the tea mountain trail in the afternoon.

The main scenic area requires real-name reservations. Private cars are not allowed inside.

Stay: Nanyuanling · Lantang Village

Day 2 · Tianyou Peak & Bamboo Rafting

Wuyi Mountain（Tianyou Peak、Nine-Bend Stream Bamboo Rafting、Wuyi Palace & Song Street）

Use the scenic area's shuttle buses. The bamboo raft ride takes about 1.5 hours. Leave your rental car at your accommodation.

Book bamboo raft tickets in advance via the official WeChat mini-program, especially during holidays.

Stay: Nanyuanling · Lantang Village

Day 3 · Across Northern Fujian to Baishuiyang

Pingnan（Baishuiyang、Shuangxi Ancient Town）

Drive from Wuyishan to Pingnan via the expressway (approx. 250 km, a 3.5-hour drive).

Stay: Shuangxi Ancient Town

Day 4 · Yuanyang Stream to Mount Taimu

Pingnan（Yuanyang Stream） → Fuding（Chixi Village）

Hike Yuanyang Stream in the morning, then drive to Taimushan Town in the afternoon (approx. 2.5 hours).

Stay: Taimushan Town and Qinyu

Day 5 · Mount Taimu to Sunset at Dongbi

Fuding（Mount Taimu） → Xiapu（Yangjiaxi Scenic Area、Dongbi Sunset Point）

Explore Mount Taimu in the morning (approx. 3 hours), then drive to Dongbi in the afternoon (approx. 1 hour), passing through Yangjiaxi.

Stay: Dongbi & Sansha

Day 6 · Beiqi Sunrise, then to Fuzhou

Xiapu（Beiqi Mudflats） → Fuzhou Urban Area（Three Lanes and Seven Alleys）

Drive to Beiqi in the early morning (approx. 30 minutes), then take the expressway to Fuzhou (approx. 2.5 hours).

Stay: Sanfang Qixiang · Dongjiekou

Day 7 · A Day Around Pingtan Island

Pingtan Island（Beigang Village, Pingtan、Donghai Xianjing (Xianren Well)、Houyan Island (Pingtan)）

Drive from Fuzhou to Pingtan Island via the Pingtan Strait Bridge (approx. 1.5 hours). Enjoy a scenic drive around the island in the afternoon.

Stay: Longfengtou and Tancheng

Day 8 · Head South & Ferry to Meizhou Island

Putian（Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple、Golden Beach (Jiubaolan)）

Drive from Pingtan to Wenjia Pier (approx. 2.5 hours). Leave your car at the pier and take a 20-minute ferry.

Stay: Lianchi'ao Golden Beach

Day 9 · To Quanzhou & Explore the Old Town

Quanzhou Urban Area（Luoyang Bridge、Kaiyuan Temple & Twin Pagodas、West Street (Xijie)、Qingjing Mosque）

Take an early ferry back to the mainland, then drive to Quanzhou (approx. 1.5 hours). Explore the Old Town on foot.

Parking is difficult in the Old Town; it is recommended to stay on the outskirts, park your car, and walk.

Stay: West Street · Zhonglou

Day 10 · Xunpu Flower Hairpins to Xiamen

Quanzhou Urban Area（Xunpu Village） → Xiamen（Jimei School Village、Island Ring Road）

Drive to Xunpu in the morning (approx. 30 minutes), then take the expressway to Xiamen in the afternoon (approx. 1.5 hours).

Stay: Zhongshan Road · Lujiang Road

Day 11 · A Leisurely Day on Gulangyu

Xiamen（Gulangyu Island、Sunlight Rock、Shuzhuang Garden）

Take a 20-minute ferry from the Cruise Center Xiagu Terminal. Explore the island on foot and return in the evening.

Purchase ferry tickets in advance via the official WeChat mini-program, as early as possible during holidays.

Stay: Zhongshan Road · Lujiang Road

Day 12 · Head South to Dongshan Old Town

Dongshan Island（Dongshan Guandi Temple & Wind-moving Stone、Tongshan Ancient City、Nanmen Bay）

Drive from Xiamen to Dongshan Island via the G15 Shenhai Expressway (approx. 200 km, a 2.5-hour drive).

Stay: Nanmen Bay

Day 13 · Into the Mountains to See Tianluokeng

Fujian Tulou (Yongding & Nanjing)（Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster、Yuchang Lou）

Drive from Dongshan Island to Tianluokeng (approx. 200 km, a 3-hour drive). The latter part of the drive consists of mountain roads.

Stay: Shuyang & Tianluokeng

Day 14 · Yunshuiyao, then Return to Xiamen

Fujian Tulou (Yongding & Nanjing)（Yunshuiyao Ancient Town & Hegui Lou）

Drive to Yunshuiyao in the morning (approx. 30 minutes). Return to Xiamen in the afternoon (approx. 3 hours) and return your rental car.

A late departure flight is safer. Confirm the drop-off location in advance for one-way rentals.